Severe Thunderstorms Bring Damaging Winds and Hail to New York and Pennsylvania
The National Weather Service has issued multiple severe thunderstorm and flash flood warnings across the northeastern United States and Utah as thunderstorms bring damaging winds, hail and heavy rain, while severe weather in Lithuania forced three inbound flights to divert from Vilnius Airport.
Active Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in New York and Pennsylvania
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for Chautauqua County in western New York until 1015 AM EDT, with a storm producing 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail moving east at 60 mph from near Findley Lake. [1] At 907 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Findley Lake, or 17 miles east of Erie, moving east at 60 mph. [1] The hazard includes 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail as indicated by radar. [1] Locations impacted include Jamestown. [1] Hail damage to vehicles is expected along with wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. [1]
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning covers central Erie County in northwestern Pennsylvania until 930 AM EDT, with a storm near Girard moving east at 55 mph and producing 60 mph winds and quarter-size hail. [3] At 843 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Girard, or 8 miles southwest of Erie, moving east at 55 mph. [3] The hazard includes 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail as indicated by radar. [3] Locations impacted include Erie. [3] Minor damage to vehicles is possible along with damage to trees and power lines. [3]
These warnings highlight active severe weather moving through the region with consistent hazards of strong winds and hail reported across both states. The movement speeds and specific county coverage underscore the rapid progression of the storms eastward.
Flash Flood Warnings Issued in New Jersey
A Flash Flood Warning is active for southwestern Sussex County and northern Warren County in northwestern New Jersey until 100 PM EDT, where thunderstorms have already dropped 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain with rates of 1 to 2.5 inches per hour possible. [2] At 849 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. [2] Between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen with an expected rainfall rate of 1 to 2.5 inches in 1 hour. [2] Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 1.5 inches are possible in the warned area. [2]
The warning addresses the potential for continued heavy rain accumulation that could lead to flash flooding in the northwestern New Jersey counties. Radar observations confirm the ongoing thunderstorm activity driving the rainfall totals already recorded.
Debris Flow and Flash Flooding in Utah Burn Scar
A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for the Cottonwood burn scar area in west central Piute County, Utah, and east central Beaver County, Utah, until 900 AM MDT after thunderstorms triggered an ongoing debris flow with up to 0.5 inches of rain reported. [5] At 556 AM MDT, Beaver County emergency management reported thunderstorms producing heavy rain over the Cottonwood Burn Scar resulting in a debris flow. [5] Up to 0.5 inches of rain have fallen with flash flooding already occurring. [5] Excessive rainfall over the burn scar area has contributed to the debris flow conditions.
The warning focuses on the specific vulnerability of the burn scar terrain where even limited rainfall amounts have initiated debris movement and flooding. Emergency management reports directly tie the thunderstorm activity to the observed debris flow.
Flight Diversions at Vilnius Airport Due to Severe Weather
Severe weather including thunderstorms, heavy cloud cover and lightning in Lithuania caused three inbound flights to Vilnius Airport to be diverted on Tuesday. [4] Three flights bound for Vilnius were diverted to other airports Tuesday because of severe weather, including thunderstorms, heavy cloud cover and lightning, airport officials said. [4]
The diversions reflect the direct operational impact of the thunderstorms and associated conditions on inbound air traffic at the airport. Airport officials confirmed the role of the severe weather in prompting the flight changes.
Impacts and Safety Guidance
Hail damage to vehicles is expected from the storm in Chautauqua County along with wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. [1] Minor damage to vehicles is possible from the storm in Erie County along with damage to trees and power lines. [3] The flash flood warning in New Jersey notes that additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 1.5 inches are possible in the warned area. [2] Flash flooding is already occurring in the Cottonwood burn scar area with up to 0.5 inches of rain reported. [5]
These conditions point to risks for vehicles, property, trees, power lines and people in the affected zones. The warnings emphasize the need for awareness of hail, wind, and flooding hazards as described in the official alerts.
What to watch next: The Severe Thunderstorm Warning in Chautauqua County remains in effect until 1015 AM EDT while the warning in central Erie County continues until 930 AM EDT, the Flash Flood Warning in New Jersey until 100 PM EDT, and the Flash Flood Warning in Utah until 900 AM MDT.
